MARGAO
The Nuvem gram sabha on Sunday resolved that the panchayat should reject construction licence proposals for housing projects with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) exceeding 60 per cent.
The meeting, chaired by Sarpanch Freda D’Sa, saw members opposing projects above the 60 per cent FAR limit, citing concerns over the village’s carrying capacity. The sarpanch explained that approvals for projects exceeding 60 per cent FAR are granted by the Town and Country Planning Department.
The sarpanch assured members that the resolution would be discussed at the panchayat body meeting and urged them to take up the matter with the local MLA for raising it in the Assembly.
Members also discussed the new traffic signal equipped with AI cameras and resolved that the cameras be disabled before changes are made to signal timings.
Members Agnelo and Carmelito proposed an audit of the signal timings and changes to ensure AI-controlled traffic lights first regulate traffic before fines are imposed.
Gram sabha member Jose Roque Andrade called for an audit of all culverts in Nuvem constructed by different agencies. A resolution was subsequently adopted seeking rehabilitation or reconstruction of culvert side walls as required after an audit by competent authorities.
Members Zarina D’Cunha and Carmelito Andrade also raised concerns over several illegal borewells.
After the sarpanch said the panchayat had no records or data on borewells and suggested filing an RTI application with the Water Resources Department (WRD), Carmelito proposed that the sarpanch and secretary write to the WRD seeking information on new borewells and natural wells (bain in Konkani).
He also urged the panchayat to request the WRD to conduct a groundwater/hydrological survey.
The meeting witnessed an uproar towards the fag end of the gram sabha following a remark made by a member.
